Vaporizer



March 25, 1941. M. w. HANKS ETAL VAPORI ZER Filed Dec. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gory@ ,L/VQSOH/ l I l i; Y

March 25, 1941. M w HANKS 4i-AL 2,235,879

VAPORIZER Filed Dec. 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 y@ 7 NJ j j \M\m FJ T j 7 r j \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\m\\\\\\\M\\\M\w\\ J I n/ menne Mo. 2s, 1941 2,235,879

UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE VAPORIZEB Marshall W. Hanks, Madison, Wis., and Georgen. Nelson, Chicago, lil., nslignors to Hankscraft Comiplany, Madison, Wis., a corporation o! Wiscons Application December 4, 1937, Serial No. 178,128 19 claim (c1. 21a-403 This invention relates to improvements in vathat the mixture may be inhaled by the user of porizers and its purpose is to provide an imthe device. proved device of the liquid conductor heater type A further object is to provide an improved vawherein water or other iiuid is adapted to be porizer adapted to be used as a closure for a ves- 5 vaporized by an electric current passing through sel containing a liquid and comprising an insu- 5 the iluid between spaced electrodes, thereby prolating body having a passage communicating ducmg steam or vapor which may be used to heat with the chamber of the vessel and having spaced a medicament, such as benzoin, eucalyptus, menelectrodes therein to be connected by the liquid. tncictum, and the like, with the result that the Still another object is to provide an improved l0 vapor of the medicament rises with the steam electrical device of the liquid conductor type 10 and may be inhaled by the user., 'I'he liquid conwhich may be used-either for VBDOIZHE a meductoiheater principle employed in the condicament or as a humidifier for increasing the struction of the present invention is similar to moisture content 0f the atmospherethat embodied in the iiquid conductor heaters of Other objects of the invention relate to various United States Patents N0s 2,015,671 and 2,015 features of construction and arrangement which 15 672, both dated October i 1935. will appear more fully hereinafter.

The of the invention is to pro m nature of the invention be undervide an improved portable vaporizer embodying flog'gpyfgoggicilagwen wh wo e geirlegatarnomnesgcgnigsdoav s; bodiments are illustrated. In the drawings, 20

the like so that when the device is connected in Figure 1 is a perspective Ylew of the improved an electric circuit the current will flow between vaporizer of the Present invention Whe re' the spaced electrodes embodied in the device to moved from the water glassl or other vessel with enect the heating oi the water and the resulting which it is usually employed vaporization of the medicament by the action of Fig 2 shows an enlarged top plan View of the 25 the steam Sing om the Water' vagizlsiixstrstg ming'view simil r t th t of A further object of the invention is to provide Fi it p p 1 a' o a an improved vaporizer comprising an insulating relglweg, h the recepten e for the medicament body adapted to be immersed in Water and having Fig. 4 D shows a transverse horizontal section 30 a restricted passage containing spaced electrodes adapted to be connected by the water so that when the circuit of the electrodes is energized une H of Fig. 1.

a current will pass between the electrodes and the Fig. 5 shows a' vertical Section through the Waffel' in the restricted-Passage Will be Quickly vaporizer and a glass of Water with which it is 35 Polizei ordinarily used, the section through the vaporizer Still another object of the invention is to probeing taken on the une 5 5 of Fig 3;

vide an improved vaporizer comprising a re- Fig. 6 shows a vertical section taken on the line ceptacle for a medicament removably held in of Fig. 5;

place in an insulating body by novel means which Fig. 7 snows an enlarged inclined section taken 40 Permit the receptacle to be removed when desired on the line 1-1 oi Fig. 5, illustrating the method and which permit steam scncratcd by thc device ci connecting the electric conductors with the to circulate around the receptacle. spaced electrodes; and

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. s is a partial sectional view, simiier to that an improved vaporizer comprising spaced clccof Fig. 5, showing a modined form of construc- 45 trodes 8nd having novel means for establishing tion adapted to act as a closure for the vessel and all electrical cOnnectlOn between these electrodes embodying a, different form of receptacle for the and conductors which are adapted t0 be 00nmedicament, which causes the vapors of the menected in an electric Supply Circuit dicament to mingle with the steam arising from Another object ot the invention is to provide the chamber ofthe vaporizer. 50 a vaporizer having means for generating steam As illustrated in the drawings, the improved and having an imprOved receptacle fOr n medcavaporizer l0 is adapted to be partially immersed ment whereby the medicament is vaporlzed and in a body of water or other liquid Il contained the vapor thereof caused to ilow in a predeterin a vessel l2 which may be an ordinary water mined direction intermingled with the steam so glass or the like. The vaporizer I0 comprises a 55 through the lower portion of the vaporizer illustrated in Fig. l; the section being taken on the hollow insulating body I4 of porcelain, Bakelite, or other suitable insulating material, having the upper part thereof enlarged as shown at I4, thus forming an annular shoulder I4b which is preferably provided at one side of the insulating body with a downwardly extending flange or lip I 4 so that the device may be mounted upon the edge of the vessel I2, as shown in Fig. 5, with the lip or flange extending downwardly on the outside of the vessel. This lip or nange is formed as a downward extension of a lateral enlargement I4d, shown particularly in Fig. 1, from the upper part of which a downwardly inclined passage I4e leads to the interior chamber of the insulating body for containing the exible cord I5 comprising a pair of insulated conductors which lead from the tting I 6 having spaced terminals or blades II'a adapted to be inserted in the usual outlet plug of the electric lighting circuit of the place where the vaporizer is to be used.

The insulating body I4 is circular in cross sectiony and the lower portion thereof may be tapered downwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, to correspond to the taper of the outer wall of the water glass I2. The lower, tapered portion of the insulating body is provided with an upwardly extending passage I 4f of substantially rectangular cross section which contains a pair of spaced electrodes I'I, preferably in the form of at metal plates of stainless steel, Monel metal, or the like, having their edges engaging vertical grooves I4@ which are formed in theinsulating material at the corners of the rectangular passage, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. These electrodes preferably terminate somewhat above the lower end of the insulating body, leaving a chamber I8 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The electric conductors which are embodied in the exible cord I5 have-the insulation removed from the extremities thereof, beyond the inner edge of the inclined passage` I 4, thus providing extremities I5a which are adapted to contact the sides of the metal electrodes I'.', as shown particularly in Figs. 5 and '1, thus establishing an electrical connection between the electrodes and the supply circuits. In assembling the device, the iexible cord I5 is put. into place rst with the extremities I 5? of the conductors extending into the passage I4f adjacent the sides thereof, and the metal electrode plates II are then inserted, with their edges engaging the grooves I 4Iz until their upper ends reach the position shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, wherein the extremities I5@ of the conductors are wedged tightly between the plates and the lateral walls of the passage I4. In this way the detachable connection is readily formed and it will be apparent that this arrangement, wherein the electrodes are frictionally held in place, permits the electrodes to be readily removed and replaced when desired. In order to limit the inward movement of the flexible cord I5 through the passage 14e, the insulating body is preferably provided with a lug I 41 extending across the passage I 4e to divide this passage at its lower or inner edge, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the inner ends of the insulated conductors may extend on opposite sides thereof.

In order to facilitate the downward iiow about the electrodes of water of condensation which forms on the upper part of the device while it is in operation, and of the water which is carried upwardly by the bubbles during the heating and evaporation of the water, the opposite Walls of the rectangular passage I 4f, formed in the insulating body, are provided throughout their length with vertically extending grooves |41, shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 6, which permit the water in the vessel I2 to rise upwardly on the outer sides of the electrodes and also facilitate the downward flow of the water of condensation and of the water carried upwardly by the rising bubbles between the electrodes. With this device I0 partially immersed in the water of the vessel, the water establishes a 'connection between the electrodes and the current iiowing through this intermediate body of water causes it to vaporize with the result that steam passes upwardly into .the chamber |41, which is formed in the enlarged portion I4a of the insulating body. This space forms a boiling chamber, which prevents the water from sputtering out at the top of the device, and any excess water collecting in vthis chamber as a result of the boiling operation quickly returns downwardly through the grooves I4. water which flows downwardly enters the space I8 at the bottom of the insulating body and is largely re-vaporized without intermingling with thefbody of water In the vessel, so that the vaporization of the liquid is initiated and maintained without heating an excessive portion of the main body of liquid I I.

The steam which is generated between the spaced electrodes Il is adapted to flow upwardly around a cup 20, formed of porcelain, Bakelite" or other suitable insulating material, which is adapted to contain a medicament to be vaporized. This medicament 2I may be inserted in the cup in liquid form or be placed therein by saturating a body of cotton or the like. At the upper end of the boiling chamber |41, the hollow insulating body I4 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders I 4k, upon which the receptacle 20 is adapted to rest, as shown particularly in Fig. 5, and the 'cup is held in place on the shoulders by a transversely corrugated circular spring 22 of bronze or other suitable metal, which is placed around the cup or receptacle with its ends overlapping and the outer portions of its convolutions` engaging the outer annular surface I4l of the chamber in which .the cup is mounted. The convolutions of this circular spring provide a number of vertical passages 22, as shown in Fig. 2, which permit the steam to circulate upwardly about the cup or receptacle 20 so that the medicament 2i therein is heated and vaporized. the vapor being given off through the-mouth of the receptacle and mingling with the steam which passes upwardly around it so that it may be inhaled by the user. In this way, the receptacle 20 is frictionally held in place and may be readily removed when it is desired to clean this member or the interior of the insulating body in which it is normally mounted. If desired, the receptacle 20 may be removed and the remaining parts of the device may be employed as an humidier. In some cases, it may be desirable to secure the receptacle 20 by cement to the shoulders I4* upon which it rests.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings there is shown a modiilcation of the invention which is adapted for use where it is desired to give the steam and vapors a definite direction of iiow or discharge from the vaporizer and where it is important to prevent danger of electric shock by contact with the liquid being vaporized between the electrodes. In this form of the invention, the vaporizer 30 is adapted to be partially immersed in a body of water or other liquid 3| in a vessel 32, formed preferably of insulating material, and provided with a cover 33, also formed preferably of.porce lain, Bake1ite, or other suitable material. The vaporizer 30 comprises a hollow insulating body 34 formed of porcelain, Bakelite,.' or the like and having the upper part thereof enlarged, as shown at 34, thus iorming an annular shoulder 34b which is adapted to rest upon the annular flange 33h which is formed on the cover 33 around the central opening 33 thereof through which the lower tapered portion of the insulating body 34 extends. The cover 33 has an outer annular ilange 33* which extends downwardly around the upper edge oi the vessel 32 and the annular ilange 33b is depressed below the body portion of the cover 33. thus forming a circular pocket 33d in which the enlarged portion 34l of the insulating ,body is seated. 'I'his enlarged part oi the insulating body is provided at one side with a lateral boss or extension 34, thus forming an increased thickness of insulating material through which there is provided a downwardly and inwardly inclined passage 34e for containing the iiexible cord 35 embodying a pair of insulated conductors leading from a source oi supply and having their lower bare extremities 35* connected in the manner previously described with a pair oi spaced electrodes 31 which are mounted in the passage 34I of rectangular cross section formed in the lower part of the insulating body. These electrodes are mounted in the manner described in connection with the form shown in Fig. 1 and when the water or other` liquid is vaporized by the passage of an electric current between the electrodes, the steam rises upwardly through the chamber 341 which isformed in the enlarged portion 34a oi the insulating body above the upper ends of the electrodes. This chamber is enlarged at its upper end as shown at 34k and this enlargement is engaged by a cup or receptacle 40 adapted to contain a medicament 4| to be vaporized. This cup or receptacle is held in place by packing material 42 placed between its peripheral surface and the wall .of the chamber 34k and it has`an annular flange 40 which extends outwardly over the top edge of the insulating -body 34. 'I'his cup has a passage 4ilh extending upwardly at the side of the receptacle for the medicament 4| and this passage 4IIb is provided with an inclined outlet port 40 which directs the steam passing upwardly through the passage lliD over the upper end of the receptacle which contains the medicament sodhat the steam and vapors of the medicament are thoroughly mingled and have a deilnite direction of iiow as they pass upwardly from the device.

It will be apparent that with the form oi.' construction shown in Fig. 8, it will be impossible for the user of the device to get an electric shock by bringing the fingers into contact with the body of water 3l in the vessel while the device is in operation. The vessel 32 and its cover 33 may be a bottle or any other vessel having a mouth 33 through which the lower or reduced portion of the insulating body 34 may be inserted. In the use of either form of the invention, the receptacle 20 or 40 for containing the medicament may |be allowed to remain empty or may be removed from the insulating body oi' the device so that steam alone may be discharged from the insulating body for humidifying purposes only.

Although two forms of the invention have been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various'other embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

i. A device oi the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body open at its upper and lower ends and having a continuous vertical passage therethrough, a receptacle for a'medicament located and mounted within the upper end of said body, spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion oi said body and adapted to be connected by a liquid when the said portion ci saidbody is immersed in said liquid, and means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body having a continuous vertical passage open at its upper and lower ends, a receptacle, means for removably securing said receptacle in the upper end of said body with vapor circulating spaces around it within said body, spaced electrodes mounted 1n the lower portion of said body, and means for connecting said spaced electrodes to an electric circuit.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body, electric heating means mounted in said body, means for connecting said heating means to an electric circuit, said body having a chamber therein above said heating means, and a separate receptacle mounted above said chamber, said chamber extending continu-v ously between said heating means and said receptacle.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body, spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion of said body, means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit, said body having a chamber therein above said electrodes. and a receptacle mounted above said chamber and having passages around the periphery thereof within said tbody.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body having a continuous imperforate annular wall, spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion oi said body, means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit,

said body having a chamber therein above said electrodes, and a receptacle mounted above said chamber and having a steam passage therethrough.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body, electric conductors mounted in the wall oi said body and having bare extermities extending into the chamber of said body, and spaced electrodes interlocked with said body and wedged into tight engagement with said bare extremities of said conductors, the wedging action oi said conductors holding said electrodes against vertical displacement in said body.

'7. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough provided with opposed grooves, a pair of at electrodes having their opposite edges engaging said grooves, and conductors connected to said electrodes and holding said electrodes in place in said grooves.

8. A device oi the class described, comprising a hollow insulating body having a downwardly and inwardly inclined passage communicating with the interior chamber of said body, electric conductors mounted in said passage and having bare extremities extending into said chamber, and spaced electrodes mounted in said chamber and engaging the bare extremities of said conductors, said conductors being arranged to vso a hollow insulating body having a downwardly and inwardly inclined passage communicating with the interior chamber of said body, electric conductors mounted in said passage and having bare extremities extending into said chamber, spaced electrodes mounted in said chamber and engaging the bare extremities of said conductors, and a receptacle mounted in the upper portion of said body.

10. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough a pair of spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion of said passage and terminating above the lower end of said body, said electrodes being spaced from the opposite walls of said passage to provide chambers which communicate with the space between said electrodes through the portion of said passage located below said electrodes, and means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit, said body having a vapor chamber above said electrodes.

11. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body open at its lower end and having a vertical passage therethrough,'a pair of spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion of said passage and Aterminating above the lower end of said body, means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit, said body having a vapor chamber above said electrodes formed by the continuous surrounding wall of said passage, and a receptacle mounted above said chamber and provided with means for permitting the escape in proximity thereto of vapor rising from said chamber.

12. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough, a pair of spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion of said passage and terminating above the lower end of said body, and

^ means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit, said body having grooves therein extending vertically on the outer sides of said electrodes.

13. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough, a pair of spaced electrodes mounted in the lower portion of said passage and terminating above the lower end of said body, and means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit, said body having grooves therein extending vertically on the outer sides of said electrodes and having a vapor chamber above said electrodes.

14. The combination with a vessel adapted to contain a liquid, of an insulating body having a laterally extending hook portion adapted to be aasasvo hung on the edge of said vessel and to extend into said liquid, said body having a vertical passage` therethrough, spaced electrodes mounted insaid passage and adapted to be connected by said liquid, and means tor connecting said electrodes in an electric circuit.

l5. The combination with a vessel adapted to contain a liquid, ot4 an insulating body having a lateral hook portion adapted to'be hung on the edge of saidvessel and to extend into said liquid, said body having a vertical passage therethrough, spaced electrodes mounted in said passage and adapted to be connected bysaid liquid, means for connecting said electrodes in an electric circuit, and a receptacle for a medicament mounted in the upper end of said passage.

16. A device ofthe class described, Acomprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough, a pair of spaced vertical electrodes extending across said passage and terminating above the lower end of said passage, said electrodes being spaced from the walls of said passage between their edges to provide spaces which communicate with the space between said electrodes through the portion of said passage located below said electrodes, and means for connecting said electrodes to an electric circuit.

17. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough, the walls of said passage being provided with opposite pairs of vertically extending spaced grooves, and a pair of flat spaced electrodes having their opposite edges mounted in said grooves.

18. A device of the class described, comprising an insulating body having a vertical passage therethrough, the walls of said passage being provided with opposite pairs of vertically extending spaced grooves, and a pair of iiat -spaced electrodes having their opposite edges mounted in said grooves, said electrodes being spaced from the walls of said passage which are opposite their ilat faces and terminating above the lower end of said passage.

19. A device of the class described, comprising a hollowinsulating body having a vertically extending passage extending therethrough, spaced electrodes mounted in the hollow portion of said passage, means extending through the side wall of said insulating body for connecting said electrodes in an electric circuit, a receptacle for a medicament mounted in the upper part of said passage, and means for securing said receptacle in place in said passage including an annular member providing vertical vapor passages around said receptacle.

MARSHALL W. HANKS, GEORGE H. NELSON. 

